According to multiple reports on Sunday, LeBron James signed a four-year, $154 Million Dollar contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Amidst a whirlwind of rumours, and with news of LeBron opting out of the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the news of LeBron signing in Los Angeles isn’t necessarily new, but it is somewhat surprising.
After playing all of his Hall of Fame-worthy career in the Eastern Conference, LeBron will head west in search of something new, but facing something familiar. Undoubtedly, his main intent is to dethrone the Golden State Warriors and win another championship. But really, is that what this move to LA is all about? Not in the least.
This is LeBron’s Team Now
LeBron James’ new contract with the Lakers: 4 seasons = $154,000,000 1 season = $38,500,000 1 game = $469,512 1 quarter = $117,378 1 minute = $9,781 1 second = $163 pic.twitter.com/iFaUTZjLHI
— LakeShow (@LakeShowCP) July 2, 2018
With his signing, many questions will now face the Lakers who have a lot of young talent but will have to make some moves to make sure the salary cap works. In the first 24 hours post LeBron being announced a Laker, that had already begun to happen. The Lakers let Julis Randle walk away and sign with the New Orleans Pelicans. They went out and signed Javale McGee, Lance Stephenson, and Rajon Rondo and who knows if the team is done yet?
Whether or not the Lakers are consulting with LeBron on these moves is unknown but one would have to believe, to a varying degree, that James is involved. That said, names like Stephenson (famous for blowing in James’ ear to get him riled up) seems like a surprising addition. Rondo, who was once pictured beside a girl with a “LeBron James is a bitch” t-shirt seems a bit surprising too. But, this is the Lakers and now that they have LeBron, an immediate contender. Perhaps, none of the past matters.
LeBron has shown he has the ability to carry a team, but will the Lakers have the final pieces to take his game to the next level? One has to think the Lakers haven’t given up on the dream to also land Kawhi Leonard and these one-year deals the Lakers are signing could be just short-term fixes until that day comes.
The new look Lakers. pic.twitter.com/hXTExnVZ3E
— ESPN (@espn) July 2, 2018
LeBron in LA Makes Sense
This move isn’t so much about winning today as it is about what LeBron can do in LA. A four-year deal is a gesture on the part of James to show he wants to be and grow with the Lakers. And, why not? He’s got family in LA, he wants his kid to go to school in LA and he has business in LA. Business that, believe it or not, stands to make James far more money than his NBA salary will.
This is also about legacy. To join the ranks of Magic, Kareem, Shaq, Kobee and all the other greats who were once Lakers is nothing to sneeze at.
Oh, and did we mention… his jersey is about to become the greatest selling jersey in the history of sports? Pre-orders are already through the roof.
